Holding device for spring-actuated shades



(No Model.)

B. T. BURROWES. HOLDING DEVICE FOR SPRING AO'IUATED SHADES.

No. 529,517. Patented Nov. 20, 1894.

Wimesses UNrrEn STATES V ATENT errors.

EDWARD BURROYVES, OF PORTLAND, MAINE.

HOLDING DEVICE FOR SPRlNG-ACTUATED SHADES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 529,517, dated Nov m r 2 1894- Application filed July 5,1894. Serial No. 516,537. (No model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, EDWARD T. BURROWES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Portland, in the county of Cumberland and State of Maine, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Holding Devices for Spring-Actuated Shades; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to made and use the same.

This invention relates to holding devices for spring actuated shades, which devices operate against the sides of a groove in the window-frame, the object being to accomplish the desired result with less movement of the presser-pendants, and to simplify the construction of such devices.

The invention will be clearly understood by reference to the following specification and claims, and to the accompanying drawings forming a part of same, of which Figure 1, is a sectional elevation, showing one of my improved shade sticks containing the holding devices, in their proper position in the grooves in the window-frame. Fig. 2, is a broken elevation of the groove in the window-frame, and a cross section of one of my improved holding devices therein. Fig. 3, is a similar view of the groove in the window-frame, and myimproved holding device in slightly modified form. Fig. 4, is a similar View of the groove in the window-frame, there being in one side of said groove ratchetteeth, or serrations, with which my improved holding device is adapted to engage; and Fig. 5. is a cross-section of my improved shade stick, taken at X, Fig. 1.

Similar letters refer to corresponding parts throughout the various views.

The shade stick A, is a metal tube, and contains a rod B, which, extending the entire length and projecting beyond the ends of, said tube, carries on its ends the rocker-arms O, D, or E, as may be preferred.

The tube A, has a slot a, located preferably, at a point midway from its ends. Near said slot is a presser-pendant F, which is rigidly secured to the tube A, by means of a screw f. A movable presser-pendant G, passes loosely through the slot a, of said tube, and is secured in any convenient manner to the rod B, which is adapted to move rotatively within said tube, said movement being limited to the play which the presser-pendant G, may have in the slot a.

The rod B, is actuated by a helical spring S, which is mounted thereon. One end of said spring being secured at Ct, to the tube A, and its other end being secured at b, to the rod B, it is obvious that, if the tube and the rod were both free to move, their movement would be in opposite directions. The rockerarms are rigidly attached near one end to the ends of the rods B, and rock only when the said rod is rotated, and said rocker-arms rest in a groove H, formed for this purpose in the window-frame, and are made sufficiently long to prevent a complete revolution in said groove, their free ends being forced normally against one side of said groove by the action of the spring S and serving as a wedge for creating the necessary friction on the sides of the groove to hold the shade at any desired elevation; but when it is desired to release the friction, the spring actuated rod is rotated by pressing together the pendants F G, and the free ends of said rocker-arms are in this manner removed from contact with the sides of the groove, being consequently loose therein and bear no harder upon one than upon the other side of the grooves. Friction tips formed of rubber or other elastic material, may be placed in the end of said rocker-arms to enhance the adhesive strength of the same upon the side of said groove H, as seen at c, d, or one side of each groove may be provided with ratchet-teeth or serrations h, and the rocker-arms be adapted to engage therewith, as shown in Fig. 4. The only difference between the rocker-arms O, and D, is, the former, being shorter than the latter, will have a natural tendency from the action of the spring actuated shade to which the shade stick A, is attached, and a forced tendency by reason of spring S, to turn down to a position more nearly cross-wise of the groove, and consequently possess greater adhesive power than the rocker-arm D, even with a less powerful spring S.

This construction possesses advantages over my former patents, as well as those that I have purchased and now control, one of which being that, no damage can result from drawing down the shade by grasping the shade stick, and it can heloweredgas easily-in that manner,asbyreleasing the friction with the presser-pendants. Another advantage is the single rod B, extending the entire length of the shade stick, making fewer parts and less liability to get out of order.

Having describe d my improvements, what I claim is- 1. In holding devices for spring-actuated shades, operating in grooves in the windowframe, a hollow shade stick having a single slot located about "midway from its ends, a: spring actuated rod mounted, an ,d c apable of 1 rotation, therein, rocker-arms mounted one on each end of said rod and their free ends ada ted 0 ear u on ne ide of t sai 2. In holding devices for spring actuated shades operating in grooms in the windowframe, a'hollow shade s tic'k'ha'ving a single perforation located about midway from its ends, a spring actuated rod somewhat longer than said shade stick, and mounted in the latter and having at eachend an upturned crank "or rocker-arm fresting within said groove its free end adapted to bear normally against one side of the same, suitable elastic tips,-one for each of the cranksor rockerarms,-and a stationary and movable presserpendant-,th'e former secured to the shade stick at ,a point near said perforation, and the latter entering said perforation and secured to said spring actuated rod, and adapted to rotatethesame.

' In testimony whereof I afiix my signaturein presence of two witnesses."

EDWARD T- BURRQWES W tnesse RREN C LE, HQW. RoBI so 

